Governor Newsom visits LA recovery efforts in Altadena and the Palisades, views homes set to be completed soon

What you need to know: Governor Newsom visited the Los Angeles recovery area yesterday to visit with survivors and learn about efforts to help accelerate rebuilding, including two initiatives funded through LA Rises. The Governor also visited homes in progress, including one constructed by Habitat for Humanity anticipated to be completed in January.

LOS ANGELES - Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom joined community members and organizations to discuss recovery and rebuilding efforts for homes in the Palisades and Altadena. California continues to stand with Los Angeles by removing barriers, providing funding, and assisting survivors.

Throughout Los Angeles, organizations and local agencies are coming together to assist with recovery, from creating low-cost preapproved plans to put into the hands of those trying to rebuild, fast-tracking the permit process, to constructing the houses on the ground.

Governor Newsom visited two organizations yesterday who, supported by funding from LA Rises, are helping to provide preapproved plans to help survivors rebuild quickly and build homes from the ground up.

As we approach the one-year mark since the devastating firestorms in Los Angeles, we're still standing with every survivor who's navigating the trauma, the loss, and the long path back. But we can also see and feel the progress. Homes are going back up, businesses are reopening, and communities are locking arms to help each other heal.

As these neighborhoods rebuild, we're not going anywhere - we're committed to seeing this through and ensuring this community comes back stronger than before.

Governor Gavin Newsom

A streamlined path for rebuilding

The Governor visited the Foothill Catalog Foundation, which received $1 million from the LA Rises initiative in partnership with the California Fire Foundation, to streamline the rebuilding process. This local nonprofit, founded by two architects who watched their neighbors' homes burn in the Eaton Fire, offers low-cost, custom-designed plans to fire survivors, saving time and money on architectural and permitting fees. This allows survivors to rebuild quickly, resiliently, and affordably while preserving the communities' architectural identity. They have 20 pre-approved plans ready for use in Altadena, and are preparing to launch a catalog of plans custom-designed and pre-approved for the Palisades in January. The LA Rises grant supports these efforts along with an engagement program to assist homeowners step by step through their rebuilding process.

At Foothill Catalog, Governor Newsom met with cofounder and Executive Director Alex Athenson; and cofounder, project architect and Director of Communications Cynthia Sigler. Photo credit: Governor's Office.

Building from the ground up

Moving from planning to construction, the Governor visited a house in progress in Altadena by Habitat for Humanity of the San Gabriel Valley. The site is using one of Foothill Catalog's preapproved plans to speed the rebuilding process. Habitat is currently in the process of constructing 25 new homes and repairing another 12 homes in Altadena, emphasizing fire resistance and resilience from potential future fires with the help of $1.5 million in LA Rises funding through the California Fire Foundation.

The Governor toured a home that is scheduled to be completed in early 2026, about a year after the fire. As a result of the Governor's streamlining efforts, funding assistance to locals, and work to speed recovery - along with dedication and outside-the-box thinking by local agencies - thousands of permits have already been issued in Los Angeles at a rate that is, on average across the region, nearly three times the speed prior to the fires. On average, permits are approved by local agencies in less than 90 days.

Governor Newsom talking with CEO of Habitat for Humanity of San Gabriel Valley, Bryan Wong, at Habitat project site in Altadena. Photo credit: Governor's Office.

Supporting local businesses

Governor Newsom also made a stop at Gladstones, a landmark restaurant which was damaged by the fire in the Palisades. The restaurant was closed in the months following the fires due to smoke damage. Its recent reopening demonstrates the community's resilience and continued progress towards recovery.

The Governor toured a home that is scheduled to be completed in early 2026, about a year after the fire. As a result of the Governor's streamlining efforts, funding assistance to locals, and work to speed recovery - along with dedication and outside-the-box thinking by local agencies - thousands of permits have already been issued in Los Angeles at a rate that is, on average across the region, nearly three times the speed prior to the fires. On average, permits are approved by local agencies across the region in less than 90 days.

Governor Newsom meets with Jim Harris, General Manager & CEO of Gladstones Restaurant. Photo credit: Governor's Office.

Standing up for survivors

Governor Newsom sent a letter to President Trump, yet again urging him to follow through on his promise to deliver long-delayed federal relief for Californians displaced by the recent Los Angeles wildfires. This is the fourth request for funding since February, when President Trump promised he would "take care" of survivors. Governor Newsom recently updated his previous request from February and renewed the call for the federal government to provide $33.9 billion in funding for Los Angeles area survivors.

After returning from Washington, D.C. to where he met with leaders on both sides of the aisle, the Governor yesterday again pressed President Trump to immediately send the promised relief package to Congress, emphasizing that survivors have already waited too long. Newsom highlighted the state's ongoing work with local leaders to provide emergency resources, temporary housing, and long-term recovery support. However, without Trump taking federal action, thousands of families remain stuck in limbo.

A copy of the Governor's most recent letter can be found here.

Los Angeles' historic recovery and rebuilding efforts

Since the first day these firestorms ignited, Governor Newsom has been on the ground leading an all-in state response and recovery.

The Governor deployed resources before the hurricane-force fires broke out - growing to over 16,000 boots on the ground at the peak of the state's response. And in the hours that followed, Governor Newsom launched historic recovery and rebuilding efforts to help Los Angeles get back on its feet, faster.

By the numbers:

• 16,000 first responders and recovery personnel deployed.

• $3.2 billion in Small Business Administration Assistance approved.

• $144.2 million in individual assistance disbursed.

• Over 40,000 visitors to disaster recovery centers.

• 30 days to clear properties of hazardous waste.

• 100% of the properties that opted-in to government run debris removal. have had their homes cleared of fire debris.

• 27 executive orders signed for response and fast recovery efforts.

• 8 of 8 schools resumed in person instruction.

• 9 of 9 water systems reactivated.

The rebuilding efforts by the Governor include:

• Cutting red tape to help rebuild Los Angeles faster and stronger.

• Providing tax and mortgage relief to those impacted by the fires.

• Fast-tracking temporary housing and protecting tenants.

• Safeguarding survivors from price gouging.

• Supporting expedited permitting for rebuilding homes.

• Getting kids back in the classroom.

• Protecting victims from real estate speculators.

• Helping businesses and workers get back on their feet.

State streamlining and grants lead to faster reviews

In alignment with the Governor's executive orders, local governments have created fast-tracked permitting pathways for fire rebuilds, eliminating unnecessary reviews and streamlining local processes. In addition, local agencies have used $4 million in state grant funding to increase staffing and resources, further accelerating timelines.

As a result, local agencies are processing permits with, on average, fewer than 30 days of local review time. The average time from application to permit issuance for rebuilding homes across these agencies is approximately 85 days, which includes time spent by homeowners and their design teams making revisions to bring their plans up to code.

Recent legislative progress on LA disaster recovery

During the legislative session, Governor Newsom signed a bipartisan package of bills to aid in the rebuilding and recovery efforts of Los Angeles, including bills to codify actions the Governor has taken via executive order. This legislation represents one of the most significant reforms to the state's disaster response, incorporating lessons learned and strengthening California's ability to respond to future disasters.

Additionally, Governor Newsom has signed into law legislation for Los Angeles fire survivors to receive stronger mortgage relief and to provide fair interest for disaster-affected homeowners. California will continue aiding natural disasters now and in the future, this administration will not leave any Californian behind. However, this work cannot be continued without the support of the federal government and their services.

For more information visit ca.gov/lafires.